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'^''r.^-lt^fi^ •Sr.'/UAm^ AS»»u«4 . 



AN ACCOUNT 



OF THE 



BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL, 



dTompileti from 'Eutfjentic .Sources, 



BY 



DAVID PULSIFER, A.M., 

MEMBER OF THE NEW-ENGLAND HISTORIC GENEALOGICAL SOCIETT; 

CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE NEW YORK HISTORICAL 

SOCIETY; THE ESSEX INSTITUTE IN SALEM, AND 

OTHER HISTORICAL SOCIETIES. 



GENERAL BXmi?!^l«iii|^CC0UN1 
THE BATTLE? 



y^' 
^ 




BOSTON: 

A. AVILLIAMS AND CO. 
Corner School anb Washington Streets. 

1875. 




ism^^ "'& 




Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by 
A. WILLIAMS ATS'D CO., 

In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 



CAMBRIDGE: 
PRE^S OF JOHN WILSON AND SON. 



BATTLE OF BUNKEE HILL. 



/^N the 15th of June, 1775, the Com- 
^"^^ mittee of Safety passed the follow- 
ing vote : — 

" Whereas it appears of importance to 
the safety of this colony that possession 
of the hill called Bunker Hill, in Charles- 
town, be securely kept and defended, and 
also some one hill or hills on Dorchester 
Neck be likewise secured, therefore resolved, 
unanimously, that it be recommended to 
the Council of War that the above men- 
tioned Bunker Hill be maintained by suffi- 
cient force being posted there ; and as the 
particular situation of Dorchester Neck is 
unknown to this Committee, they advise 



4 BATTLE OP BUNKER HILL. 

that the Council of War take and pursue 
such steps respecting the same as to them 
shall appear to be for the security of this 
colony." 

On the same day it was ordered, — 
" That Captain Benjamin White and 
Colonel Joseph Palmer be a committee to 
join with the Committee from the Council 
of War, to proceed to the Roxbury Camp, 
there to consult with the general officers 
on matters of importance, and to commu- 
nicate to them a resolve this day passed, in 
this Committee, respecting Bunker Hill in 
Charlestown, and Dorchester Neck." 

The detachments ordered to Charlestown, 
for the purpose of fortifying and holding 
Bunker Hill, consisted of about one thou- 
sand men, under the command of Colonel 
William Prescott, of Pepperell, in the 
county of Middlesex. General Putnam 
went with the detachments, as also Colonel 
Richard Gridley, who had been appointed 



BATILE OF BUNKER HILL. 5 

chief engineer. They proceeded to Charles- 
town late in the evening of the 16th of 
June. Pausing on Bunker Hill, after some 
consultation they concluded to advance to 
Breed's Hill, which lies nearer to Boston 
by about one hundred and twenty rods, 
and is about the same distance from the 
banks of Charles River. It was nearly 
midnight when they began to throw up a 
redoubt, as ordered by the council of war. 
The redoubt on the summit of the hill 
was about eight rods square. The strong- 
est side, or front, in form of a redan, 
faced Charlestown, protecting the south 
side of the hill. The eastern side com- 
manded a very extensive field, and a 
breastwork ran in a line with it north 
down to the slough. Between the south 
end of the breastwork and the redoubt 
was a narrow passage-way or sally-port, 
protected in front by a blind, and an open 
passage-way in the north side of the re- 
1* 



6 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

doubt. It was determined, at the same 
time, that a work should be erected on 
Bunker Hill, as a new post and rallying 
point to resort to, should the enemy drive 
them from the first, and for the protection 
of the rear. 

A large guard — Captain Maxwell and 
his company, some Connecticut and other 
troops — was detached to the shore of 
Charlestown to observe every movement 
of the enemy. 

The works marked out, tools were dis- 
tributed to the men ; but midnight arrived 
before the first spade entered the ground. 
These men, working for their lives as well 
as liberties, performed prodigies of labor. 
They were instructed and stimulated by 
Putnam, Prescott, and other officers, among 
whom was Major Brooks, distinguished 
by the well-deserved confidence of the 
army. Just entered on manhood, he relin- 
quished a lucrative profession, commenced 



BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 7 

his military career at the battle of Lexing- 
ton, as major of Bridge's regiment, and 
received the same rank in the army. He 
had been called home by sickness in his 
family, and received no order to march 
with his regiment ; but the danger of his 
fellow-soldiers was a sufficient summons, 
and he hastened to join his corps, which 
he overtook at the neck. 

It was clear starlight, and the proximity 
of the enemy demanded vigilant obser- 
vation. Colonel Prescott proceeded to the 
shore with Major Brooks to reconnoitre 
them. Every thing was quiet ; they dis- 
tinctly heard the enemy relieving guard, 
and were rejoiced at the welcome cry from 
the sentries, however unfounded, " All's 
well." 

The men quietly at their labors, General 
Putnam repaired to his camp to prepare 
for the anticipated crisis, by bringing on 
reinforcements, and to be fresh-mounted; 



8 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

his furious riding required a frequent 
change of horses. 

Prescott could hardly imagine that the 
enemy were so negligent of military caution 
as to suffer his powerful force to approach 
their very threshold unobserved. He ad- 
vanced anew to examine their situation ; 
again all was quiet, and the guard from 
the shore of Charlestown was ordered in. 

By the dawn of the day the veil was 
lifted from the astonished eyes of the 
British. They perceived their daring enemy 
above them, overlooking their position, 
with formidable works which had sprung 
up as if by enchantment. The cannon of 
the "Lively" opened on the Americans, 
and roused their countrymen from secure 
repose to participate in the same sur- 
prise and astonishment. 

General Gage sent an immediate sum- 
mons to his officers to meet him in a coun- 
cil of war in the old State House. 



BATTLE OP BUNKER HILL. 9 

Some other frigates, floating batteries, 
the " Somerset" line of battle ship, a form- 
idable battery of the heaviest pieces, and a 
mortar on Copp's Hill, opened a tremen- 
dous fire on the Americans, sufficient to 
appall even veteran troops. 

The fire was for some time without 
effect, but the men venturing in front of 
the works, one of them was killed by a 
cannon shot. At this time a number of 
the men went off and never returned. 

To dispel the terror which this death oc- 
casioned, Prescott mounted on the works, 
and directed the labor. Heedless of all 
the fire of the enemy, he was wrought up 
to the highest pitch of enthusiasm, and 
transferred his own exaltation into every 
private under him. Owing to the oppres- 
sive heat, and the vehemence of his ad- 
dress, his bald head was exposed entirely 
uncovered ; waving his sword, he some- 
times upbraided his men in anger, and 



10 BATTLE OP BUNKER HILL. 

sometimes encouraged them with appro- 
bation and humor. 

General Gage, reconnoitring the enemy, 
handed his telescope to Willard, a man- 
damus counsellor, and inquired of him, 
"Who is that officer commanding?" He 
instantly recognized his brother-in-law^ 
Colonel Prescott. " Will he fight ? " asked 
Gage. " Yes, sir, depend upon it, to the 
last drop of blood in him; but I cannot 
answer for his men," was the reply. 

The suiferings of the men were greats 
the heat was oppressive ; during a sleepless 
night, they had unremittingly labored, with- 
out even water; and their small stock of 
provisions was exhausted. Their officers 
felt for them, and wished Colonel Prescott 
to send to Cambridge a request to be 
relieved. He convened a council of war, 
but instantly crushed the slightest hope 
of a relief. " The enemy would not dare 
attack them, and if they did, would be 



BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. H 

defeated. The men who had raised the 
works were the best qualified to defend 
them : they had already learned to despise 
the fire of the enemy ; they had the merit 
of the labor, and should enjoy the honor 
of the victory." With renewed ardor, the 
men continued their labors. 

Captain Nutting, with some troops, was 
ordered into Charlestown, near the ferry, 
by Colonel Prescott, to guard against the 
enemy's approach on that side. 

General Gage met his officers in council. 
They did not hesitate as to the indispen- 
sable necessity of driving the enemy from 
their formidable position, but found it 
impossible to agree on the mode of attack. 
General Clinton and General Grant advo- 
cated attacking the enemy in rear ; but 
General Gage would not adopt a meas- 
ure so adventurous. It was finally deter- 
mined to land and attack the enemy in 
front. ; \in\vereity of >^^-<> . 



'#■ 



\ 



LIBRARY 



12 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

At daybreak Putnam directed Lieu- 
tenant Glark to send to General Ward for 
a horse. The lieutenant went himself, 
but the general's impatience could not 
await an answer. On his return he found 
him mounted and departing. The sum- 
mons from the " Lively " had frustrated his 
intention of carrying on the reinforcement 
himself; he reminded General Ward, how- 
ever, that the fate of the expedition 
depended on his being reinforced immedi- 
ately, according to the preconcerted plan, 
and flew to join his men on the hill. 

The result of General Gage's council of 
war soon became apparent. The enemy 
were observed moving with rapidity 
through the streets of Boston ; a corps of 
dragoons, manoeuvring within view of the 
Americans, suddenly galloped off their 
parade ground; the rattling of artillery 
carriages and wagons was heard, and 
every note of preparation for a military 



BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 13 

movement. Prescott, then believing the 
enemy would hazard an attack, was de- 
lighted. " Now, my boys, we shall have a 
fight, and shall beat them too," he ob- 
served. Fearless himself, he thought the 
world so too, and his confidence was too 
implicit in the raw troops and inexperi- 
enced commanders just collecting only, 
and hardly considered to be an army. 

It was nine o'clock ; the men were ex- 
hausted from hunger, thirst, fatigue, and 
want of sleep. Putnam had again re- 
paired to Cambridge to procure provisions, 
and a reinforcement, become indispensable, 
but neither one nor the other had arrived. 
Colonel Prescott called another council of 
war ; he refused, as before, to hear a word 
about displacing his men, but consented 
to send again for refreshments and a rein- 
forcement. Major Brooks was selected to 
proceed to Cambridge and wait on Gen- 
eral Ward for this purpose. For greater 
2 



14 BATTLE OP BUNKER HILL. 

expedition he was directed to take one of 
the artillery horses, but the order was 
vehemently opposed by Captain Gridley, 
who feared for the safety of his pieces. 
Prescott then directed him to proceed on 
foot, with as much dispatch as possible. 
He arrived at headquarters about ten, and 
made known his instructions to Ward. 
The general hesitated as to the policy of 
sending reinforcements to Charlestown, 
and doubted whether the intention of the 
enemy was to make his attack on that 
point. The scanty depots of ammunition, 
ordnance stores, and materiel of every 
species belonging to the army, on which 
the salvation of the country depended, 
were at Cambridge and Watertown ; and 
he presumed the enemy designed to seize 
the present opportunity to make an attack 
at headquarters and gain possession of 
these stores. 

The Committee of Safety were sitting 



BATTLE OP BQNKER HILL. 15 

at the same house in which the general 
quartered, and he communicated to them 
the information and request brought by- 
Major Brooks. Richard Devens, of Charles- 
town (afterwards commissary-general), was 
one of the committee. From deep anxiety 
for the success of the expedition and 
the protection of his native town from 
the inroad of the enemy, his importunity 
with the general and the committee for an 
ample reinforcement was impassioned and 
vehement, and his opinion partially pre- 
vailed; the committee recommended a rein- 
forcement, and the general consented that 
orders should be dispatched immediately 
to Colonels Keed and Stark, at Medford, 
to join Prescott's detachment with the 
New Hampshire troops. 

General Warren, chairman of the Com- 
mittee of Safety, was present. The day 
before he had officiated as President of 
Congress at Watertown, and had passed 



16 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

the night there in the accumulated con- 
cerns of the public. His friend, Hon. 
Elbridge Gerry, having learned the de- 
termination to occupy and fortify Bunker 
Hill, remonstrated with him against the 
glaring imprudence of the enterprise, with 
their feeble resources. " We had not 
powder sufficient to maintain the despe- 
rate conflict which must enpue. and should 
all be cut to pieces." Warren confessed 
he entertained the same opinion ; but it 
was determined otherwise, and he was 
resolved to share the fate of his country- 
men. His friend conjured him not to 
expose his invaluable life where his de- 
struction would be useless and inevitable. 
" I know it," said the hero, " but I live 
within sound of the cannon, and should 
die were I to remain at home while my 
fellow-citizens are shedding their blood for 
me." " As sure as you go you will be 
slain," repeated Gerry. Warren's final 



BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 17 

answer was, " Dulce et decorum est pro 
patria mori." He arrived at Cambridge 
by daylight, sick with nervous headache, 
and threw himself on the bed. On re- 
ceiving information that the enemy were 
coming out, Ward sent to notify him. He 
arose immediately, declared " his headache 
was gone," and after meeting with the Com- 
mittee of Safety, mounted his horse, and 
w^ith his fusil and sword repaired to the 
post of danger. 

At eleven, the New Hampshire troops 
received orders from Cambridge; but, not 
being provided with ammunition, were quite 
unprepared to obey them. Every man was 
immediately supplied with two flints, and 
a gill of powder with fifteen balls to form 
into cartridges ; but nearly all of them 
were destitute of cartridge-boxes, employ- 
ing powder-horns only; and scarcely any 
two of their guns agreeing in calibre, they 
were obliged to hammer their balls to a 
2* 



18 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

proper size for the pieces. The companies 
posted at Chelsea were immediately re- 
called. 

About noon, at the Long Wharf in Bos- 
ton, twenty-eight barges were filled with 
the principal part of the first detachment 
of British troops, consisting of the 5th, 
38th, -iSd, and 52d battalions of infantry, 
ten companies of grenadiers, and ten of 
light infantry. Some of these troops were 
taken from the transports, and were to land 
now for the first time since their arrival. 
The barges formed in parallel lines of 
single files, six resplendent pieces of can- 
non, and howitzers in the bows of the lead- 
ing boats, with the gorgeous uniform, and 
brilliant armor of the troops, throwing 
back the splendor of the sun, as if in rival- 
ry : they move in exact time and perfect 
order^ and about one, land at Morton's 
Point ; the novel and alarming spectacle 
filling the Americans with dismay. 



BATTLE OP BUNKER HILL. 19 

Immediately on landing they discovered 
a disastrous mistake, most of the cannon- 
balls sent over were too large for the pieces ; 
they were immediately sent back and a new 
supply obtained. At the same time, Gen- 
eral Howe, the commander, discovering on 
his near approach the formidable nature of 
the enemy's position, their present numbers, 
and the troops marching on, requested a 
reinforcement of General Gage. These first 
troops, while waiting for the remainder of 
the detachment, were entirely unmolested, 
and very quietly dined, most of them for 
the last time, from their crowded and cum- 
brous knapsacks. About two, the remain- 
der of the forces leave Winnisimmet Ferry, 
in the same formidable array of barges, and 
land at Morton's Point ; and soon afterward 
the reinforcements, a few companies of 
grenadiers and light infantry, the forty- 
seventh battalion, a battalion of marines, 
except a few of this corps who were pre- 



20 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

paring to embark, land under the eastern 
end of Breed's Hill, at Madlin's ship-yard, 
the present navy yard. All these troops 
cannot be estimated at less than five thou- 
sand ; if the corps were but half full, there 
were four thousand three hundred and fifty. 
While the enemy were landing, Putnam 
ordered Captain Knowlton, with the Con- 
necticut troops, to take post behind a rail- 
fence, which ran across the tongue of land 
from Mystic River to the road about two 
hundred and fifty yards. In front of this 
line of fence were some apple-trees, and a 
few also in the rear. These troops pulled 
up the neighboring fences, and placing 
them near the one at which they were 
posted, threw in the new-mown grass be- 
tween. A small part of this fence had stones 
under the rails to the height of two feet ; the 
whole formed only the shadow of a pro- 
tection. This rail-fence was one hundred 
and ninety yards in rear of the breastwork, 



BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 21 

leaving a very extensive opening between 
the breastwork and rail-fence, by which 
the left flank of the troops at the breast- 
work was exposed to the enemy's fire, 
and about one hundred yards between 
the slough and rail-fence open to the 
advance of infantry; the only defence 
being a few standing trees, stones, or 
whatever could be found on the spot. 
This was the key of the American posi- 
tion. 

The detachments in Charlestown were 
now recalled by Prescott, and took post at 
a cart-way, which ran from the road to the 
south-eastern angle of the redoubt. They 
placed the fences together, and threw in 
grass, as was done on the left. 

The thundering cannonade of the enemy 
soon spread the information of an ap- 
proaching engagement. The Americans 
in the neighborhood flocked to the scene, 
and the soldiers voluntarily ran to arms, 



22 BATTLE OP BUNKER HILL. 

and entreated to be sent against the foe. 
Colonel Little's regiment had lately arrived 
from the county of Essex and the officers 
were not commissioned ; without awaiting 
orders, they left their quarters in Menoto- 
my and Cambridge, marched to General 
Ward and tendered their services. The 
Connecticut troops were equally anxious 
to join their general; they were all under 
arms, and sent to headquarters for orders. 
But Ward informed them they had already 
the post of honor, as the British were ex- 
pected to land near Inman's farm, their 
present position. The brave New Hamp- 
shire troops, at the same post, under Colonel 
Sargent, were also as earnest to be led 
against the enemy, and the Colonel sent 
the most pressing requests to Ward for 
permission to conduct them on. 

Captain Callender with his artillery com- 
pany was ordered to the hill, and, for 
greater caution, Gardner's regiment was 



BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 23 

marched to Patterson's station, at the 
opening of the road to Lechmere Point, 
there to wait farther orders. Doolittle's 
regiment had been stationed on the 
Charlestown road the night before, and 
was a little in advance of them. 

Prescott had stretched the endurance 
and exertions of his detachment to the 
utmost of the human constitution. They 
had thrown up a defence good against 
muskets, and most of it against artillery. 
But the commanding summit of Bunker 
Hill, of vital importance in case of a re- 
treat, was not yet fortified, though Putnam, 
mortified at the neglect of a position on 
which his success and reputation depended, 
had been incessant and unwearied in his 
efforts to have it accomplished ; but in vain, 
as no reinforcements arrived. At length 
he ordered off a large detachment from 
the redoubt with the intrenching tools to 
break ground there. From experience 



24 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

under the most distinguished masters of 
the day, he perfectly comprehended the im- 
portance of intrenching, seemed to have 
seized intuitively the learned maxims of 
Caesar, and to have anticipated the result of 
such modern defences as Jackson's. Most 
of the detachment ordered off with the 
tools never returned to the lines. 

Putnam, on perceiving the preparations 
of the enemy for an attack, again hastened 
to Cambridge for reinforcements, and had 
to pass through a galling enfilading fire 
of round, bar, and chain-shot, which thun- 
dered across the neck from the *' Glasgow" 
frigate in the Charles River and two float- 
ing-batteries hauled close to the shore. 
He learned from General Ward the orders 
which had been sent to the New Hamp- 
shire troops at Medford, and immediately 
returned to his post. 

At last the New Hampshire troops ar- 
rived ; it was the policy of Stark to march 



BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 25 

his men slowly, observing that " one fresh 
man in battle is better than ten fatigued 
ones." Putnam reserved a part of this 
force to throw up the work on Bunker 
Hill, and ordered the remainder to press 
on to the lines as quick as possible, and 
join the Connecticut troops at the rail- 
fence. Stark encouraged them by a short, 
spirited address, ordered three cheers to 
animate them ; and they moved on rapidly 
to the line. 

The intention of the enemy being 
now clearly pronounced by their landing 
in Charlestown, General Ward, reserving 
still his own regiment, — Putnam's, Sar- 
gent's, Patterson's, Gardner's, and part of 
Bridge's, from his caution lest an attack 
should be made at Cambridge, — dis- 
patched the remainder of the troops as 
a reinforcement to Charlestown. 

Near five thousand British troops had 
now landed, under the immediate com- 



26 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

mand of General Howe. Under him were 
General Pigot; Colonels Nesbit, Aber- 
crombie, Clarke; Majors Butler, Wil- 
liams, Brace, Spendlove, Smelt, Mitchell, 
Pitcairn, Short, Small, and Lord Rawdon, 
— all officers of renown. The troops were 
in columns, waiting the signal to advance. 
The hills rising from Boston Bay and 
overlooking both armies were covered by 
Americans, brought from a distance by 
anxious curiosity to witness a scene so 
sublime, and learn the event of a contest 
on which the fate of a new world de- 
pended ; and many of them from a deeper 
interest in the fate of a parent, a brother, 
or husband engaged. The heights and 
the steeples in Boston were crowded in the 
same manner by the inhabitants and the 
British military ; and many a soldier's wife 
witnessed the events with a melancholy fore- 
boding that she was left a widow, and her 
home three thousand miles across the ocean. 



BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 27 

" What tide of widows' tears shall flow 
For those who fight no more 1 " 

A cannonade and bombardment was 
opened from Boston on the camp at Rox- 
bury to retain the Americans at their post 
who were there under arms. 

The British artillery on Morton's Hill 
opened on the Americans. Colonel Pres- 
cott ordered the men to keep under the 
cover of the works, but Lieutenant Spauld- 
ing standing by his side had his head com- 
pletely shattered by a ball. Gridley's pieces, 
which had fired a few useless shot from 
the redoubt against Copp's Hill and the 
shipping, were now ordered out, and were 
carried with Callender's to the space be- 
tween the breastwork and rail-fence, and 
returned the fire of the British. The artil- 
lery companies were just enlisted from the 
infantry, and ignorant of their duty. The 
officers complained that their cartridges 
were unsuitable for the pieces; Gridley 



28 BATTLE OP BUNKER HILL. 

drew off his to the rear, one of them be- 
ing already disabled ; and Callender was 
marching off over Bunker Hill to a secure 
place for preparing his ammunition in 
safety, when Putnam met him and ordered 
him instantly to his post. His men, how- 
ever, were disgusted with a part of the 
service they did not understand. Most of 
them had muskets, and mingled with the 
infantry. The pieces were entirely deserted 
and left on Bunker Hill, from which posi- 
tion they were fired a few times on the 
enemy. 

Colonel Little arrived with his troops; 
Putnam ordered them to their posts : Cap- 
tain Warner's company to the rail-fence 
on the right of the redoubt, Captain Per- 
kins to the exposed position between the 
breastwork and rail-fence on the left; the 
remainder found their places in the line. 
Colonel Jonathan Brewer, who had been 
a ranger in the French war; Colonel 



BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 29 

Nixon, who had served in the same war ; 
Colonel Woodbridge; and Major Moore 
of Doolittle's regiment, the colonel and 
lieutenant-colonel being absent, — brought 
on their troops, each about three hundred 
men. Colonel Woodbridge sent a detach- 
ment off to the right, in the main street of 
Charlestown, and carried orders to Major 
Moore to do the same, who accordingly 
sent one under Captain "Wheeler. Colonel 
Reed sent a detachment also, under Cap- 
tain Crosby. 

Colonel Scammans, with a large regi- 
ment from Maine, ordered by General 
Ward to go where the fighting was, 
marched to Lechmere Point, understand- 
ing from some one that the enemy were 
landing there. On his arrival he was un- 
deceived by General Whitcomb, who ad- 
vised him to march to the hill. From 
error, or some other cause, he went to 
Cable Hill and took post there. 
3* 



30 BATTLE OP BUNKER HILL. 

The veteran General Pomeroy heard the 
pealing artillery, and requested a horse of 
General Ward to carry hini to the field, 
and one was instantly supplied. With his 
musket, he repaired immediately to the 
neck ; inquiring of a sentry posted there, 
and viewing the ground and the tremen- 
dous fire across, he was alarmed, not for 
himself, but for the horse he had borrowed ; 
he delivered him to a sentinel and coolly 
marched across. He advanced to the rail- 
fence; his approach gave new confidence 
to the men ; they received him with the 
highest exultation, and the name of Pome- 
roy rang through the line. Tn early life 
he had been an ingenious mechanic, and 
many a soldier was supplied with arms of 
his manufacture. 

The British now formed their columns, 
with their field train in centre, ready to 
advance on the American line. 

Captain Ford arrived with his company. 



BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 31 

He served under the veteran Lieutenant- 
colonel Parker and Major Brooks, had 
learned the duties of a soldier, and signal- 
ized himself in Lexington battle by killing 
five of the enemy. He was proceeding 
down Bunker Hill, when Putnam met him 
and was delighted with an aid so oppor- 
tune ; Callender's deserted cannon were 
on the hill, and he ordered Captain Ford 
with his company to draw them to the 
line. The captain remonstrated that " his 
men were entirely ignorant of the disci- 
pline and management of artillery." But 
the general persisting in his order, he 
obeyed ; his company moved with the can- 
non, accompanied by the general himself, 
to the rail-fence. 

Putnam was now joined by Warren, to 
whom he observed, " I'm sorry to see you 
here. General Warren. I wish you had 
left the day to us, as I advised you. From 
appearances we shall have a sharp time 



32 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

of it; but since you are here, I'll receive 
your orders with pleasure." Warren re- 
plied : " I came only as a volunteer ; T 
know nothing of your dispositions, and 
will not interfere with them ; tell me 
where I can be most useful." Putnam, 
intent on his safety, directed him to the 
redoubt, observing, " You will be covered 
there." " Don't think," said Warren, " I 
come here to seek a place of safety; but 
tell me where the onset will be most furi- 
ous." Putnam again pointed to the re- 
doubt : " That," said he, " is the enemy's 
object. PreL»cott is there, and will do his 
duty, and if it can be defended, the day 
is ours ; but, from long experience of the 
character of the enemy, I think they will 
ultimately succeed and drive us from the 
works; though, from the mode of attack 
they have chosen, we shall be able to do 
them infinite injury, and we must be pre- 
pared for a brave and orderly retreat when 



BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 33 

we can maintain our ground no longer." 
"Warren assented to his opinions, and, 
promising to be governed by them, went 
to the redoubt. The soldiers received him 
with loud hurrahs. Prescott offered him the 
command ; but he had not yet received 
his commission, and tendered his services 
to the colonel as a volunteer, observing, 
" He was happy to learn service from a 
soldier of experience." 

The field-pieces of the enemy opened 
furiously on the works, the signal for their 
army to move. Their columns advanced 
slowly, and halted at intervals, to give the 
artillery an opportunity to render a pas- 
sage over the works practicable. Howe, 
remarkably tall, and a prominent mark, 
advanced two hundred yards in front of 
the troops to reconnoitre. 

The American drums beat to arms. 
Putnam left his works, commenced on 
Bunker Hill, and led the troops into ac- 



34 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

tion. The tune of the Americans at Bun- 
ker Hill was Yankee Doodle, and was now 
first employed by them. 

Captain Walker (of Chelmsford) beat 
up for volunteers to accompany him down 
into Charlestown to hang on the left flank 
of the enemy. He had been detailed for 
guard duty the day before, and his com- 
pany had been sent on without him under 
the lieutenant. The picket guard, of 
which he was the commander, had not 
been relieved on the day of the battle, and 
he could not brook the misfortune of be- 
ing drawn for a place of safety, when his 
country required his services in the place 
of death. He made use of the most ear- 
nest persuasions with his lieutenant by 
repeated messengers, to exchange places 
with him, till at length he succeeded. He 
now collected about fifty kindred spirits, 
whom he led down as a forlorn-hope on 
the enemy's left and gave them five or six 



BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 35 

rounds with the most deadly execution. 
But they were soon driven in with severe 
loss. The captain however escaped, and 
was determined to make another daring 
attack on the opposite flank of the enemy. 
He had the sagacity to discover the danger 
of their turning our left, by the shore of 
the Mystic, and changed his attack to 
that quarter ; but was wounded and taken 
prisoner with Frost, one of his company, 
who was very badly wounded at the 
same time. They were carried to Boston 
jail, where the captain died of his 
wounds. 

The British right wing, consisting of 
the fifth regiment, one of grenadiers, and 
another of light infantry, move under 
cover of the tongue of land, at the foot of 
it display, and advance in front toward the 
rail-fence ; excepting nine of the light 
companies, who move by the right flank 
on the shore of the Mystic to turn the 



36 BATTLE OP BUNKER HILL. 

American left. This attack was led by 
General Howe. 

The left wing, composed of the fifty- 
second regiment, thirty-eighth, thirty-fifth, 
forty-seventh, three grenadier and three 
light companies, and the marines under 
cover of Breed's Hill, display, and are led 
by General Pigot against the redoubt and 
breastwork. 

On a sudden, as they were advancing, 
the fire from their artillery ceased ; Howe 
sent to inquire into the cause of this ill- 
timed remission., and learned, that owing 
to a fatal blunder, the cannon-balls sent 
over were too large for the pieces ; but that 
they had grape-shot; and he ordered them 
forward to maintain their fire with grape. 

The British lines soon opened to view, 
and the American marksmen were with 
difl^iculty restrained from firing. Putnam 
rode through the line, and ordered that no 
one should fire till they arrived within 



BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 37 

eight rods, nor any one till commanded. 
" Powder was scarce and must not be 
wasted. They should not fire at the 
enemy till they saw the whites of their 
eyes, and then fire low, take aim at their 
waistbands. They were all marksmen, 
and could kill a squirrel at a hundred 
yards ; reserve their fire, and the enemy 
were all destroyed. Aim at the handsome 
coats, pick off the commanders." The 
same orders were reiterated by Prescott 
at the redoubt, by Pomeroy, Stark, and 
all the veteran officers. 

Putnam now, with the assistance of 
Captain Ford's company, opened his ar- 
tillery upon them. He had on this day 
performed every species of service, and 
now turned cannonier, with splendid suc- 
cess, and to the highest satisfaction of his 
countrymen. Each company of artillery 
had been furnished twelve cartridges, and 
these were soon expended. He pointed 



38 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

the cannon himself, the balls took effect 
on the enemy, and one case of canister 
made a lane through them. With wonder- 
ful courage the enemy closed their ranks, 
and coolly marched on to the attack. 

The enemy were within gunshot of the 
redoubt ; a few of the sharp-shooters could 
not resist the temptation and fired. Pres- 
cott was indignant at this contempt of 
his orders; waving his sword, he swore 
instant death against the first who should 
disobey ; appealed to their well-known 
confidence in him, and promised to give 
them orders at the proper moment. His 
Lieutenant- Colonel Robinson, who, with 
Colonel Buttrick, had gallantly led the 
troops at Concord, ran round the top of 
the parapet, and threw up the muskets. 

The enemy now at eight rods' distance 
only, the deadly muskets were levelled. 
Prescott commanded his men to take good 
aim, be sure of their mark and fire. He 



BATTLE OP BUNKER HILL. 39 

was effectually obeyed. Nearly the whole 
front rank was swept away, and many a 
gallant officer laid low. 

As the cloud of smoke passed away, 
the ground was seen covered with dead, 
and the wounded and dying exerting their 
last feeble remains of strength to crawl 
out of the line, many on their hands and 
knees, to save themselves. Rank succeeded 
rank, and returned the fire, but the odds 
was fearful ; the Americans were well pro- 
tected by the works ; the efforts and cour- 
age of the enemy were in vain, and with 
reluctance they were at last compelled to 
retreat, as they were commanded to do by 
General Pigot himself. 

Warren animated and encouraged the 
men, and with the rest of the officers, set 
them an example with his musket ; there 
was scarcely an officer of any rank, 
excepting Putnam and Prescott, without 
one. 



40 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

The British right wing arrived about the 
time of this attack on the redoubt to with- 
in one hundred yards of the Americans. 
They were throwing down a fence, when a 
few marksmen fired on them. Putnam en- 
raged at this disobedience of an order on 
which the salvation of the army depended, 
rode to the spot, with his drawn sword 
threatening to cut down the first who dared 
to fire again without orders. The dis- 
charge from these few muskets, however, 
drew the fire from the enemy's line, which 
continued moving on, and when about 
eight rods from the fence, the fatal order 
was given ; the fire of the Americans 
mowed them down with the same terrible 
severity as at the redoubt, the officers espe- 
cially fell victims to their deadly aim. 

The British fired their heaviest volleys of 
musketry with admirable coolness and reg- 
ularity, but without aim, at the Americans, 
and almost every ball passed harmless 



BATTLE OP BUNKER HILL. 41 

over them. Their artillery had stopped in 
the marsh near the brick kilns, and pro- 
duced little effect. This wing of the army 
having covered the ground with their dead, 
were at length compelled to retreat ; and 
the hurrah of victory re-echoed through 
the American line. So thorough was the 
defeat of the enemy, that many of them 
repaired to their boats. Fortunately for 
the Americans, the enemy neglected to 
charge with the bayonet ; if, instead of dis- 
playing and firing, they had filled the inter- 
vals between their columns with light 
troops to keep the Americans under the 
works by an incessant fire, and rushed on 
at the charge, they must have secured an 
easy victory, especially as the Americans 
almost to a man were destitute of the 
bayonet. 

General Ward had by this time dis- 
patched reinforcements from Cambridge, 

but many of them did not reach the field. 
4* 



42 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

The fire across the neck wore an aspect 
too terrific for raw troops to venture in it. 
Putnam llew to the spot to overcome their 
fears and hurry them on before the enemy 
returned. He entreated, encouraged, and 
threatened them ; lashing his horse with the 
flat of his sword, he rode backwards and 
forwards across the neck, the balls threw up 
clouds of dust about him, and the soldiers 
were perfectly convinced that he was in- 
vulnerable, but were not equally conscious 
of being so themselves. Some of these 
troops, however, ventured over. 

The battalion of artillery under Major 
Gridley had proceeded but a few hundred 
yards down the road to Charlestown when 
they were halted, and he determined not to 
proceed to the hill, but wait and cover the 
retreat, which he considered inevitable. He 
was young, inexperienced, and totally in- 
adequate to the important command which 
had been conferred on him in compliment 



BATTLE OF BONKER HILL. 43 

to his father Colonel Gridley. With his 
two famous brass pieces, which alone had 
horses attached to them, he advanced far- 
ther down the road. While the artillery 
was halted in this situation. Colonel Frye 
(who was absent from his regiment on 
duty the day before, but, the battle ap- 
proaching, had found his way to the field), 
riding from Charlestown, galloped up to 
them, and demanded of the senior captain 
(Trevett) "why this unseasonable halt?" 
He was astonished at the reply, and ordered 
them instantly to the field. He also ani- 
mated their courage by the glorious recol- 
lection, " This day thirty years since, I was 
at the taking of Louisbourg when it was 
surrendered to us ; it is a fortunate day for 
America, we shall certainly beat the ene- 
my." 

The artillery proceeded. Gridley joined 
them; but his aversion to entering into the 
engagement was invincible, and he or- 



44 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

dered them on to Cobble Hill to fire at the 
" Glasgow " and floating batteries. Captain 
Trevett absolutely refused obedience, or- 
dered his men to follow him, and marched 
for the lines. Colonel Mansfield, who had 
been ordered with his regiment to reinforce 
the troops at Charlestown, being com- 
manded by Gridley to cover his pieces, which 
would be hazarded without infantry to cover 
them, complied in violation of his orders. 

Putnam left the neck for Bunker Hill, to 
bring up the reinforcements. He there 
found Colonel Gerrish with part of his 
regiment and other scattered troops. The 
men were disorganized and dispersed on 
the west side of the hill, and covered by the 
summit from the fire. Putnam ordered them 
on to the lines ; he entreated and threatened 
them, but all in vain. The men complained 
they had not officers ; he offered to lead them 
on himself, but " the cannon were deserted, 
and they stood no chance without them." 



BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 45 

The British general had now rallied and 
reorganized his troops, who appeared again 
before the murderous lines which had al- 
ready compelled them to retreat. They 
had nearly the same obstacles to overcome 
as before: their cumbrous knapsacks, arms 
and accoutrements of one hundred and 
twenty-five pounds weight, tall unmown 
grass, and the sun blazing in front of them, 
they had to contend against, as well as an 
enemy their equals. One new obstacle 
they had to pass, — the dead bodies of their 
fellow-soldiers, which covered the ground. 

Major Small, who had been sent to Bos- 
ton for the purpose, returned with the last 
of the reinforcements, a few companies of 
the marines, and was accompanied by an 
eminent surgeon, Doctor Jeffries. 

The Americans were now more confident 
and perfect than before in a manoeuvre 
which had been crowned with success. It 
was indeed perfectly simple, but equally 



46 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

fatal to the foe. They received orders to 
reserve their fire till the enemy approached 
still nearer than before. At six rods only 
they were permitted to return the fire. 
The British artillery approached by the 
narrow road between the tongue of land 
and Breed's Hill, within three hundred 
yards of the rail-fence, and almost in a line 
with the redoubt, and opened on the lines 
to prepare a way for their infantry. 

Vast columns of smoke were now ob- 
served over Charlestown, and passed to the 
north over the American lines. General 
Howe on his first advance had sent word to 
General Burgoyne and General Clinton on 
Copps Hill, that his left flank was annoyed 
by musketry from Charlestown, and de- 
sired them to burn it down. A carcass 
was fired, but fell short near the ferry way ; 
a second fell in the street, and the town was 
on fire. The conflagration was completed 
by a detachment of men who landed from 



BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 47 

the " Somerset." The spectacle of the flames 
ascending on the spire of the church was 
remembered by the American soldiers and 
spoken of years afterward. The advance 
of the enemy, however, was not obscured 
by the smoke from Charlestown ; they were 
in full view of the Americans, who suffered 
them to approach still nearer than before. 
They soon commenced a regular and tre- 
mendous volley by platoons, and their fire 
became general. But their aim was too 
elevated, and the Americans were hidden be- 
hind the works. Some of their balls, how- 
ever, took effect, and a number of the 
privates fell. Colonel Brewer, Colonel 
Nixon, and Lieutenant-Colonel Buckrain- 
ster were wounded, and Major Moore was 
mortally wounded. Not a drop of water 
could be found for him nearer than 
Charlestown Neck, to which place two of 
his youngest men were immediately dis- 
patched. 



48 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

The fire of the Americans prostrated 
whole ranks of the British officers and 
men, which was borne with astonishing 
fortitude ; but it could be withstood but 
a few moments only. Nearly a thou- 
sand of their number had fallen, with 
an incredible proportion of the bravest 
officers. 

General Howe still led on his men in the 
hottest of the battle. His aide-de-camp 
Balfour was wounded. His volunteer aid, 
Gordon, and Captain Addison, a descend- 
ant of the author of the " Spectator," were 
slain, and almost every other officer of his 
staff or near him was shot, and he was 
compelled to follow his army, who again 
retreated and yielded their enemy a second 
time the joys of victory. 

The gallant Major Small was left stand- 
ing alone, every one shot down about him. 
The never-erring muskets were levelled at 
him, when Putnam at the instant appeared 



BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 49 

He threw up the muskets with his sword, 
and begged the men to spare that officer, 
as dear to him as a brother, and his friend 
retired unhurt. 

Colonel Little in the redoubt was cov- 
ered with blood from one of his men (Story, 
of Ipswich), shot by his side. 

The ammunition of the Americans was 
now expended. Prescott found a few ar- 
tillery cartridges, which he distributed to 
his men, and they determined to show 
a resolute front to the enemy, to club 
their muskets, and even employ the stones 
thrown up with the parapet against 
them. 

General Ward was without staff officers 
to bear his commands, excepting one aid 
and a secretary, who were the whole day 
on full speed between Breed's Hill and 
headquarters. Loss and neglect of orders 
were the inevitable consequence. Gard- 
ner's regiment and others who had been 
6 



50 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

left between Cambridge and Charlestown, 
to wait further orders, were overlooked. 
The battle was raging, and no orders ar- 
rived. He called his officers together, and 
offered to lead them into battle ; they con- 
sented to follow him with about three hun- 
dred men. The colonel marched them on 
to Bunker Hill, where they were met by 
Putnam. He ordered them to take up the 
intrenching tools and complete the works 
he had commenced there, declaring, how- 
ever, his conviction that the enemy would 
not rally again, they had been twice so 
thoroughly beaten. 

Colonel Scammans remained on Cobble 
Hill, and sent a serjeant and other messen- 
gers to General Putnam, to see if he was 
wanted in the battle. 

The detachment of Gerrish's regiment 
from Cambridge marched for the lines 
under the Adjutant, Ferbiger, a Danish 
soldier of experience. 



BATTLE OP BUNKER HILL. 51 

Charlestown being burnt, the detach- 
ment there quitted their post, and joined 
the troops at the lines. 

General Howe gave his men orders to 
prepare again to advance. Some of the 
officers remonstrated, that it would be mere 
butchery to lead them on again, but the 
generals, and nearly every officer, were 
indignant at the most distant suspicion of 
their yielding the victory to these rebels, an 
undisciplined rabble of inferior numbers, 
against whom they had poured out every 
epithet of contempt. To conquer or die 
was their resolve. The overloaded knap- 
sacks were relinquished ; firing with mus- 
ketry was prohibited ; and a charge with 
the bayonet resorted to. The attack was 
to be more concentrated ; while the troops 
at the rail-fence were amused by a show 
of force, the grand effort was to be against 
the redoubt and breastwork, and especially 
on the right flank. 



52 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

General Clinton now joined his country- 
men. From Copps Hill he had observed 
the double rout of his countrymen, and 
particularly that the two celebrated bat- 
talions, the marines and forty-seventh, were 
staggered and wavering. Without waiting 
for orders, he threw himself into a boat 
and passed over. 

Howe again commanded a forward 
movement to scale the works, and rush on 
the enemy with the bayonet. He came 
to the left to lead on to the redoubt him- 
self. Clinton joined General Pigot and 
the marines on the left to turn the right 
flank of the enemy. Howe at last discov- 
ered the most vulnerable point, and the 
key of the enemy's position ; the artillery 
were ordered to advance still farther than 
before on their old route, and turn the left 
of the breastwork, to enfilade the line. 

The Americans made every preparation 
possible to repel this last desperate effort 



BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 53 

of the enemy. Putnam again rode to the 
rear, and exhausted every art and effort to 
bring on the scattered reinforcements. 
Captain Bayley, only, of Gerrish's regi- 
ment, reached the lines. The general 
ordered Colonel Gardner's regiment into 
action ; the colonel commanded his men 
to throw down the intrenching tools, and 
rush on. He Was just descending into the 
engagement when he received a wound, 
which proved mortal. He gave his last 
solemn injunction to his men to conquer 
or die ; and a detachment were carrying 
him off the ground, when he was met by his 
son, second lieutenant of Captain Trevett, 
marching on, a mere youth of nineteen. 
The affectionate son in agony at the desper- 
ate situation of his father was anxiously 
desirous to assist him off the field ; but was 
prohibited from doing this by his father, 
who, notwithstanding he was conscious 
that his wound was mortal, yet encour 
5* 



54 BATTLE OP BUNKER HILL. 

aged his son to disregard it, reminding 
him that he was engaged in a glorious 
cause, and whatever were the consequences 
must march on, and do his duty. The dis- 
tracted son obeyed his parent's last com- 
mand, and in the battle now raging, proved 
himself worthy of him, by a fearless imita- 
tion of his example. In consequence of 
the loss of the colonel his regiment did 
not reach the lines. Captain Harris's com- 
pany only, with a few others of the troops 
on the left, went to the rail-fence. Cap- 
tain Trevett, who had lost one of his pieces 
on Bunker Hill, by a cannon shot, marched 
to the rail-fence with the other. 

The enemy stripped off their knapsacks, 
and many of them their coats ; the artillery 
pushed on by the road on the north, the 
forty-seventh and marines near the road on 
the south side of the hill, and the remains 
of the royal Irish and other regiments 
and part of the grenadiers and light infan- 



BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 55 

try in front. Their past efforts had ex- 
hausted the strength and spirit of many 
of the soldiers who lingered in the rear, 
and their gallant officers were compelled to 
urge them on with their swords. Some of 
the less resolute fired their pieces, but the 
great masses obeyed their orders, and with 
firmness moved on to the charge. They 
arrived under the fire of the Americans, 
who improved to advantage their last 
opportunity for vengeance. General Howe 
received a ball in the foot, but continued 
to animate his men. 

Colonel Abercombie, who commanded 
the grenadiers. Majors Williams and Spend- 
love were slain ; and to the noble heart of 
Abercrombie was Putnam so dear as a 
soldier, patriot, and friend, that dying he 
remembered him, and enjoined it on his 
surrounding countrymen, " If you take 
General Putnam alive, don't hang him, for 
he's a •'jrave fellow." 



56 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

Near the top of Breed's Hill were a few 
houses, which escaped the general confla- 
gration of the town; these were manned 
by the Americans, who, from this cover, 
annoyed the British extremely on their 
advance, and made great havoc on their 
left flank, before they were able to surround 
the redoubt. 

The artillery advanced toward the open 
space between the breastwork and rail- 
fence ; this ground was defended by some 
brave Essex troops, covered only by scat- 
tered trees. With resolution and deadly 
aim they poured the most destructive vol- 
leys on the enemy. The cannon, however, 
turned the breastwork, enfiladed the line, 
and sent their balls through the open gate- 
way or sally-port, directly into the redoubt, 
under cover of which the troops at the 
breastwork were compelled to retire. 

The enemy bravely bore the deadly fire, 
and continually closing his broken ranks, 



BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 57 

deliberately advanced on every side of the 
redoubt, except the north. They were now 
under the eastern side of thfe redoubt and 
covered from the fire. The Americans 
retired to the opposite side to take them 
as they rose. Lieutenant Prescott, nephew 
of the colonel, received a ball through the 
arm ; it hung broken and useless by his 
side. The colonel ordered him to content 
himself with encouraging his men. But 
he contrived to load his piece, and was 
passing by the sally-port to rush against 
the enemy, when a cannon ball cut him to 
pieces. A few only of the Americans had 
a charge of ammunition remaining. They 
had sent for a supply in vain ; a barrel and 
a half only were in the magazine. They 
resorted next to stones, but these served 
only to betray their weakness, and lent new 
energy to the foe. 

Young Richardson, of the royal Irish, 
was the first to mount the works, and was 



68 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

instantly shot down ; the front rank, which 
succeeded, shared the same fate. Among 
the foremost of the leaders was Major 
Pitcairn, who exultingly cried, " The day 
is ours ; " when Salem, a black soldier, and 
a number of others, shot him through and 
he fell. It was he who caused the first 
effusion of blood at Lexington. 

Pigot ran up the south-eastern corner of 
the redoubt, assisted by a tree left stand- 
ing there, and desperately led on his men. 
Troops succeeded troops over the parapet, 
and Prescott exhausted every resource to 
repel them, even with the buts of his guns. 
He had twice conquered the enemy. Per- 
fectly careless of his own life, he had no 
right to trifle with the lives of his men; 
and, instead of a useless waste of life, he 
ordered a retreat. 

It was not till the battle was near over, 
that General Ward ordered down his 
own regiment, Putnam's, and Sargent's ; 



BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 59 

but before they could arrive, the battle 
ended. 

The veteran Gridley now received a ball 
through the leg, and was carried off. He 
had served all night at the intrenchments, 
and assisted all day in defending his own 
works. Prescott's troops fought their way 
through the surrounding enemy. One of 
the men, without ammunition, perceived 
Lieutenant Prescott's loaded musket by 
its deceased owner ; one of the enemy 
opposed his passage, seizing the musket 
he brought his antagonist to the ground. 
Colonel Bridge, who came with the first 
detachment, was one of the last to retreat, 
and \yas twice severely wounded in the 
head and neck by a broadsword. His lieu- 
tenant-colonel, the veteran Parker, was left 
mortally wounded in the redoubt. 

Major Moore's soldiers found no one at 
the neck to supply them with drink for 
him ; they entered a store, the owner was 



60 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

in the cellar to secure himself from the 
cannonade, and refused to come up ; find- 
ing spirit and water, however, they hastened 
back to witness only that all their ejfTorts 
were but labor lost, the enemy being in 
the redoubt, and Moore in the last extrem- 
ity ; his men made every effort to remove 
him, but he ordered them to leave him and 
save themselves, as he had but a moment 
to live; they were immediately compelled 
to do this by the enemy, in the midst of 
whom they saw him for the last time, as 
they retired, on the ground. 

The British now enjoyed the satisfaction 
of responding to the hurrahs of victory, 
which had been twice enjoyed by the 
Americans, and expressed their melancholy 
exultation by a feeble hurrah. 

General Warren lingered to the last. 
He animated the men to the most despe- 
rate daring; and when hope itself had fled, 
he still disdained to fly. With reluctance 



BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 61 

he slowly followed his countrymen, and 
seemed to court death from the enemy. 

As he left the redoubt he was recognized 
by his friend, Major Small, who honorably 
repaid the debt of gratitude he owed the 
enemy. [See page 48.] He called to War- 
ren, for God's sake to stop and save his 
life ; Warren turned and seemed to recog- 
nize him, but still continued on. Small or- 
dered his men not to fire at him, and threw 
up the muskets with his sword, but in 
vain, the fatal ball had sped. Eighty yards 
from the redoubt Warren received a mus- 
ket ball through the head, which killed 
him instantly. 

Colonel Scammans arrived at last on 

Bunker Hill with part of his regiment. 

Putnam ordered these troops into action, but 

it was too late, and they joined in the retreat. 

Gardner's regiment had now approached 

near the fort; Major Jackson, who had 

served in the former war with the Brit- 

6 



62 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

ish, and was well acquainted with their 
officers, being in advance, was imme- 
diately recognized by one of them as they 
issued from the redoubt, who levelled his 
piece at him ; Jackson at the same instant 
levelled at his antagonist, and they fired 
together. The ball passed through Major 
Jackson's side, being partially glanced by 
his sword-belt, which preserved his life, 
but the British officer was slain. 

The British came on, exhausted by their 
desperate efforts under a blazing sun, and 
broken by the well-directed fire. They 
had not force to employ the bayonet, and 
were too much broken and mingled with 
the enemy to fire their pieces. Their right 
and left wings were indeed facing each 
other, with the Americans between ; their 
fire would have cut down both friend and 
foe. While they formed themselves anew, 
the Americans collected and made a brave 
and orderly retreat. Putnam threw him- 



BATTLE OP BUNKER HILL. 63 

self between the retreating force and the 
enemy, who were but twelve rods from 
him. Lieutenant- Colonel Ward reached 
the rail-fence with a few troops, while 
some of his companies under Captains 
Cushing, Smith, and Washburn, between 
Bunker and Breed's Hills, courageously 
covered the retreat by a brave and well- 
directed fire ; they were joined by Captain 
Lunt of Little's regiment, just arrived, 
Captains Chester and Coit, with fresh 
troops, and other soldiers, whose ammu- 
nition was not expended, who kept the 
enemy at bay ; but a great number of 
these troops were killed or wounded. 

The Americans had retreated about 
twenty rods before the enemy had time 
to rally and pour in a destructive fire on 
them, which destroyed more than they had 
during the day. 

The American left wing were congratu- 
lating themselves on their victory, when 



64 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

their flank was opened by the retreat of 
the right. The enemy pressed on them 
and they were in their turn compelled to 
retire. Putnam covered their retreat with 
his Connecticut troops and others just 
arrived. 

General Pomeroy continued to animate 
the men, and cut down the enemy himself, 
till a ball shattered his musket. The re- 
treat having commenced, with backward 
step he shouldered the fragments of his 
piece, and carried off his men, encourag- 
ing them to pour in their formidable fire 
on the foe. 

Captain Trevett, like Callender, was 
deserted by his men. His lieutenants, 
Swasey and Gardner, stood by him, with 
but seven others, one of whom was Moses 
Porter, already a promising artillerist. He 
persuaded about thirty of the infantry to 
join in saving one of his pieces, the other 
he was compelled to abandon. 



BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 65 

The Charlestown company of Gardner's 
regiment was the last to retreat. 

One piece of cannon at the neck 
opened on the enemy and covered the 
retreat. But the British were in no con- 
dition, and discovered no inclination, to 
renew the engagement, or pursue their 
advantage, except by a formidable fire 
from their field-pieces on Bunker Hill, 
where they remained, and lay on their 
arms during the night. The same was 
done by most of the Americans on Pros- 
pect Hill, directly in the face of the enemy, 
and by Reed's and Stark's troops on Win- 
ter Hill. 

The number of the Americans during 
the battle has been estimated at thirty-five 
hundred who joined in the battle, and five 
hundred more who covered the retreat. 
The British loss was about fifteen hun- 
dred; Gage acknowledges but ten hundred 
and fifty-four. 

6* 



QQ BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

On the part of the Americans, ont hun- 
dred and fifteen were killed and missing, 
three hundred and five were wounded, and 
thirty were taken prisoners ; our whole loss 
being four hundred and fifty. 

The event of the battle proved General 
Burgoyne to be a true prophet as to its 
being "a final loss to the British empire 
in America." In a " History of the pres- 
ent War in America," by the Rev. James 
Murray, of Newcastle, England, the author 
says in reference to the British who fell in 
this battle, — 

" It was a matter of grievous reflection, 
that such brave men, many of whom had 
contributed to exalt the dignity of their 
country in subduing her enemies and 
enlarging her territories, should have fallen 
in supporting a power that was seeking to 
enslave and ruin the British empire. These 
brave British officers found to their sad 
experience what wonderful exertions the 



BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 67 

spirit of liberty will produce, even in unex- 
perienced and raw troops. The provincials, 
who had been rated as cowards and pol- 
troons in the ministerial vocabulary, under 
the influence of the powerful spirit of lib- 
erty shewed instances of wisdom, courage, 
and intrepidity that would not have dis- 
graced troops of more experience and 
reputation. The consequences of this 
action were of more advantage to those 
that were supposed to be vanquished than 
to the conquerors; for the provincials began 
to find that they could face the king's 
troops, and also to make some impression 
upon them ; and they also discovered that 
they could retreat without being pursued 
by the king's troops, which had confirmed 
them in the opinion that their enemies had 
sufl^red severely." 

The Rev. William Montague, when Rec- 
tor of Christ Church, in Boston, visited 
England, and spent part of the year 1789 



68 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

and '90 in London, was a frequent visitor 
at the house of the Hon. Harrison Gray 
(who had been Treasurer of the province 
before the Revolution), where he became 
acquainted with Arthur Savage, Esq., who 
gave him the bullet which caused the death 
of Dr. Joseph Warren, which is now in the 
possession of his son, William Henry- 
Montague, Esq., who has kindly loaned for 
this publication, the original deposition, of 
which the following is a copy : — 

I, William Montague of Dedham, County of 
Norfolk, State of Massachusetts, clergyman, do 
certify to whom it may concern that in the year 
1789 or '90 I was in London and became 
acquainted with a Mr. Savage formerly an Officer 
of the Customs for the Port of Boston and who 
left there when the Royalists & Royal troops 
evacuated that town in 1776. 

When in London Mr. Savage gave me a 
leaden ball which is now in my possession with 
the following account of it, Viz. "On the 
the morning of the 18th of June 1775 after the 



BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 69 

battle of Bunker or Breed's Hill I with a num- 
ber [of] other Royalists and British Officers 
among whom was Gen. Burgoyne went over 
from Boston to Charlestown to view the battle 
field. Among the fallen we found the body of 
Dr. Joseph Warren with whom I had been 
personally acquainted, when he fell he fell across 
a rail and this ball I took from his body and as I 
never shall visit Boston again I will give it to 
you to take to America where it will be valuable 
as a relic of your Revolution ; his sword & bell 
with some other articles were taken by some of 
the Officers present & I believe brought to Eng- 
land." 

W™ Montague 

Norfolk ss. Dedham, March 5th, 1833. The 
above named William Montague appeared before 
me and made oath to the above statement. 

Sherman Lexand, 
Justice of the Peace, 



GENERAL BURGOYNE'S ACCOUNT 
OF THE BATTLE. 



"Boston is a peninsula, joined to the main 
land only by a narrow neck, which, on the first 
troubles, General Gage fortified ; arms of the sea 
and the harbor form the rest : on the other side 
of one of these arms, to the north, is Charles- 
town (or rather was, for it is now rubbish), and 
over it a large hill, which is also, like Boston, a 
peninsula. To the south of the town is still a 
larger scope of ground, containing three hills, 
joining also to the main land by a tongue, and 
called Dorchester Neck, the neck above described ; 
both north and south (in the soldier phrase) com- 
manded the town, that is, gave an opportunity of 
erecting batteries above any we can make against 
them, and consequently are much more advan- 
tageous. It was absolutely necessary we should 
make ourselves masters of these heights, and we 



72 BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 

proposed to begin with Dorchester, because, from 
the particular situation of the batteries and ship- 
ping, it would evidently be effected without any 
considerable loss; every thing was disposed ac- 
cordingly. My two colleagues and myself (who, 
by the bye, have never differed in one jot of mili- 
tary sentiment) had, in concert with General 
Gage, formed the plan. Howe was to land the 
transports on one point, Clinton in the centre, and 
I was to cannonade from the causeway, or the 
neck, each to take advantage of the circumstances. 
The operations must have been very easy : this 
was to have been executed on the 18th. On the 
17th, at dawn of day, we found the enemy had 
pushed intrenchments with great diligence, dur- 
ing the night, on the heights of Charlestown, and 
we evidently saw that every hour gave them fresh 
strength; it therefore became necessary to alter 
our plan, and attack on that side. Howe, as 
second in command, was detached, with about 
two thousand men, and landed on the outward 
side of the peninsula, covered with shipping, with- 
out opposition; he was to advance from thence 
up the hill, which was over Charlestown, where 
the strength of the enemy lay. He had under 
him Brigadier- General Pigot. Clinton and myself 



73 



took our stand (for we had not any fixed post) in 
a large battery opposite to Charlestown, and com- 
manding it, and also reaching to the height above 
it, and thereby facilitating Howe's attack. Howe's 
disposition was extremely soldier-like - — in my 
opinion it was perfect : as his first arm advanced 
up, they met with a thousand impediments from 
strong fences, and were much exposed. They 
were also very much hurt by the musketry from 
Charlestown, though Clinton and I did not per 
ceive it, till Howe sent us word by a boat, and 
desired us to set fire to the town, which was 
immediately done. We threw a parcel of shells, 
and the whole was instantly in flames. Our 
battery afterwards kept an incessant fire on the 
heights ; it was seconded by a number of frigates, 
floating batteries, and one ship of the line. 

" And now ensued one of the greatest scenes 
of war that can be conceived, if we look to the 
height; Howe's corps ascending the hill in the 
face of intrenchments, and in a very disadvan- 
tageous ground, was much engaged, and to the 
left the enemy pouring in fresh troops by thou- 
sands over the land ; and in the arm of the sea 
our ships and floating batteries cannonading 
them ; straight before us a large and noble town 
7 



74 BATTLE OP BUNKER HILL. 

in one blaze ; the church-steeples, being made of 
timber, were great pyramids of fire above the 
rest; behind us the church-steeples and heights 
of our camp covered with spectators. The enemy 
all anxious suspense ; the roar of cannon, mortars, 
musketry ; the crash of churches, ships upon the 
stocks, and whole streets falling together in ruin 
to fill the ear; the storm of the redoubts, with 
the objects above described, to fill the eye ; and 
the reflection that, perhaps, a defeat was a final 
loss to the British empire in America, to fill the 
mind, made the whole a picture, and complication 
of horror and importance beyond any thing that 
came to my lot to be witness to. I much lament 
my nephew's absence : it was a sight for a young 
soldier that the longest service may not furnish 
again ; and had he been with me he would like- 
wise have been out of danger; for except two 
cannon-balls that went a hundred yards over our 
head, we were not in any part of the direction of 
the enemy's shot. A moment of the day was 
critical. Howe's left was staggered, two bat- 
talions had been sent to reinforce them, but we 
perceived them on a beach, seeming in embarrass- 
ment which way to march; Clinton, then next 
for business, took the part without waiting for 



burgoyne's account. 75 

orders, to throw himself into a boat to head them ; 
he arrived in time to be of service; the day- 
ended with glory, and the success was most im- 
portant, considering the ascendency it gives the 
regular troops ; but the loss was uncommon among 
the officers, considering the numbers engaged." 



Cambridge : Press of Jolin Wilson and Son. 






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